Superseded General Praveen Bakshi Meets Defence Minister For The Second Time In Two Weeks

General Bakshi goes on long leave.

Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi, the senior most general of the Indian Army superseded for the post of Chief of Army Staff, met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday.

This is the second meeting in two weeks between General Bakshi and Defence Minister Parrikar. The two had met on 21 December. Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials confirmed the meeting but refused to provide any details. The MoD had termed the 1st meeting between the two as a "courtesy call".

In an unusual move the Eastern Army Commander General Bakshi has gone on a long leave. Sources in ministry confirmed that General Bakshi will be on leave till 26 January.

Earlier going against established convention, General Bakshi had said that he would continue to command the crucial Eastern Army that is tasked to protect borders with China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. The military is hierarchy conscious.

Superseded officers chose to retire than serve under their juniors. Addressing his officers and men on 31 December from Fort William (the Headquaters of Eastern Command General) Bakshi had Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi had, however, said that he will continue to lead with 'full professional sincerity'. He had also congratulated General Bipin Rawat on having taken over as the Chief of Army Staff.

Breaking an established convention of appointing the senior most general as the next chief, the Modi Government appointed Lt Gen Bipin Rawat as the Chief of the Indian Army. He superseded Lt Gen Bakshi and also Southern Army Commander Lt Gen PM Hariz.